The Honda XL500S'79 which sold in 1979 descended from a
long line of Elsinores, although it was never called by that name. One
color was available: Tahitian Red. The fuel tank and side cover stripes
were black, red, and yellow. The control levers and kickstarter arm were
silver (next year they would be black). The speedometer had a 100 mph
(160 kph) limit. The front wheel was 23" while the back was 18". The
exhaust was a 2-into-1 system. The engine was a 498cc OHC 4-valve
single cylinder with one carburetor. The transmission was a 5-speed. The
serial number began PD01-5000054.

The XL500S'80 was sold in 1980 in Helios Red. The gas tank and side cover stripes were red, orange,
and white. The control levers and kickstarter arm were black. The bottom triple clamp was also black. The
speedometer had a 85 mph (135 kph) limit. The front wheel was 23" while the back was 18". The
exhaust was a 2-into-1 system. The engine was a 498cc OHC 4-valve
single cylinder with one carburetor. The transmission was a 5-speed. The
serial number began PD01-5100001.

The XL500S'81 was sold in 1981 in Monza Red with Black. The gas tank and side covers were 2-tone
red and black. The "XL500S" side cover graphic was red and white. The speedometer and instrument light pod
were separate. The front fender was longer. The box-section swingarm was silver painted steel. A manual
compression release lever was added. The control levers and kickstarter arm were black. The bottom triple clamp
was also black. The speedometer had a 85 mph (135 kph) limit. The front wheel was 23" while the back was
18". The
exhaust was a 2-into-1 system. The engine was a 498cc OHC 4-valve
single cylinder with one carburetor. The transmission was a 5-speed. The
serial number began JH2PD010*BM200001.

The XL500R'82 was sold in 1982 in Monza Red. The gas tank, side covers, fenders, and frame were
red. The seat, fork boots, number plate panels, and engine were black. The bike had a Pro-Link suspension,
12-volt electrical system, and a 2-into-1 exhaust system. The front wheel was 21" while the rear was 17". It also
featured double leading shoe front brake. The engine was a 498cc OHC 4-valve single cylinder linked to a
5-speed transmission. The serial number began JH2PD020*CM000021.